John Henry Dearle, 1859-1932

Dearle began working as an assistant in Morris & Co.'s Oxford Street shop in 1878. His artistic talent was soon recognised and he was trained as a tapestry weaver by William Morris. By 1887 Dearle had produced his first tapestry design and by 1890 he had become the firm's chief designer, working on woven and printed textiles, carpets and embroideries as well as tapestries. After Morris's death he became Art Director. His son Duncan also worked for the firm and was a director until the time of its closure in 1940. [Arts & Crafts Textiles in Britain.]